Molecular & Structural Biology

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New startup launched to overcome the challenge of delivering next-generation therapeutics

Harvard University's Office of Technology Development (OTD) and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health today announced the launch of Vesigen Therapeutics, a startup company that aims to overcome the challenge of delivering next-generation therapeutics, such as gene-editing complexes, RNA molecules, and other large proteins, to intracellular targets in specific tissues of interest.

23 Jul 2020

Fat-burning neurons have previously unrecognized powers, study reveals

There's no doubt that you can lose fat by eating less or moving more--yet after decades of research, the biology underlying this equation remains mysterious.

23 Jul 2020

Humans are mutating SARS-CoV-2, but natural selection enables the virus to bounce back

Scientists investigating the evolution of the virus that causes Covid19 say that its mutation seems to be directed by human proteins that degrade it, but natural selection of the virus enables it to bounce back. The findings could help in the design of vaccines against the virus.

From University of Bath 23 Jul 2020

New pathways that could help treat RNA viruses discovered

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have identified new pathways in an RNA-based virus where inhibitors, like medical treatments, unbind.

23 Jul 2020

Study explores the genetic and molecular basis of PD-L2 regulation

In immune-related disorders, therapy often involves identifying the molecules responsible for immune dysregulation and targeting them using drugs.

22 Jul 2020

Silver-plated gold nanostars could be used to detect early cancer biomarkers

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have engineered a method for simultaneously detecting the presence of multiple specific microRNAs in RNA extracted from tissue samples without the need for labeling or target amplification.

22 Jul 2020

Archaeologists use new protein method to determine the sex of human remains

A new method for estimating the biological sex of human remains based on reading protein sequences rather than DNA has been used to study an archaeological site in Northern California.

21 Jul 2020

Newly discovered protein could be an important target to prevent prostate cancer metastases

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have discovered that the protein BRD4 could be an important new target to prevent castration-resistant prostate cancer metastases.

21 Jul 2020

Protein composition of milk affects coagulation and consequently cheese yield, study shows

Cheese production relies on coagulation of milk proteins into a gel matrix after addition of rennet. Milk that does not coagulate (NC) under optimal conditions affects the manufacturing process, requiring a longer processing time and lowering the cheese yield, which, in turn, has economic impact.

21 Jul 2020

Advanced cryo-EM reveals stunning details of viral RNA replication complex structure

For the first time, scientists at the Morgridge Institute for Research have generated near atomic resolution images of a major viral protein complex responsible for replicating the RNA genome of a member of the positive-strand RNA viruses, the large class of viruses that includes coronaviruses and many other pathogens.

21 Jul 2020

Study sheds light on protein involved in Huntington’s disease

Researchers have performed a new study that exposes complex details regarding the biology of the huntingtin protein (HTT), which causes Huntington’s disease.

20 Jul 2020

Study shows how the coronavirus disarms the body’s innate immune system

Scientists have established how SARS-CoV-2 suppresses the production of proteins in infected cells and how this virus effectively disarms the immune system.

20 Jul 2020

A fast and less expensive technique to count sperm in lobsters

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have identified a quicker and less expensive way to count sperm in lobsters that could help scientists looking at any animal better understand mating, a key aspect of species survival.

20 Jul 2020

SARS-CoV-2 protein effectively shuts down host protein production, shows study

A detailed study of a SARS-Cov-2 protein, Nsp1, with a central role in weakening the host anti-viral immune response shows that it effectively shuts down production ofproteins in the host.

20 Jul 2020

Researchers construct “DNA droplets” that exhibit dynamic functions

DNA is considered the storage unit of all genetic data in living organisms.

20 Jul 2020

Study: High levels of iron in the blood can prevent age-related damage

Genes linked to ageing that could help explain why some people age at different rates to others has been identified by scientists.

17 Jul 2020

Study shows how cells respond to nutrient deprivation

The idea of the cell as a city is a common introduction to biology, conjuring depictions of the cell's organelles as power plants, factories, roads, libraries, warehouses and more.

From Harvard Medical School 17 Jul 2020

Modified mRNAs improve efficiency of protein synthesis

Since mRNAs play a key role in protein synthesis in vivo, the use of mRNAs as medicines and for in vitro protein synthesis has been desired.

17 Jul 2020

New method reveals the dynamics of HIV Gag-protein lattice structure

Viruses are scary. They invade our cells like invisible armies, and each type brings its own strategy of attack. While viruses devastate communities of humans and animals, scientists scramble to fight back.

17 Jul 2020

A new approach to combat drug resistance in aggressive age-related macular degeneration

An international team of researchers led by Baylor College of Medicine and Houston Methodist has discovered a strategy that can potentially address a major challenge to the current treatment for choroidal neovascularization (CNV), an aggressive form of age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the elderly.

17 Jul 2020